U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the inclusion of his amendment to elevate U.S. Cyber Command to a Combatant Command in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). U.S. Cyber Command it is currently a subordinate unit to U.S. Strategic Command.
“The elevation of CYBERCOM will ensure that we are always one step ahead of the enemies who seek to destroy us and our way of life,” Daines stated. “As radical Islamic extremists continue to recruit online, it is imperative now more than ever that CYBERCOM has the tools to react quickly and defeat the enemy.”
Congress established U.S. Strategic Command to address a rapidly growing need, strengthen the warfighter and to unify forces. Today, with cyber threats being one of the fastest growing national security threats we face, the need for another Combatant Command is clear
Daines’ amendment elevates the command so it can respond to one of the fastest growing threats facing our nation and ensures that Cyber Command is a national commitment receiving sufficient support to complete the ever-expanding cyber missions our warfighters face.
Daines urged the bicameral conferees of NDAA to ensure that the final legislation sent to the president includes his provision elevating Cyber Command to a Combatant Command.
Daines led Senator John McCain and seven other bipartisan senators in calling for the elevation of the command – which is currently waging one of the most critical battles against ISIL online. Daines spoke about the importance of his provision on the Senate floor, view his remarks here.
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